Boston Butts fundraiser set

The Bluffton Firefighters’ Cooking Team is gearing up for the 8th annual Boston Butts fundraiser to aid a local boy with Leukemia and Bluffton Self Help.

Set for Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Katie O’Donald’s off U.S. 278, the fundraiser first sprang from two firefighters brainstorming how to help a friend who had a child with a medical problem, said Capt. Randy Hunter.

“That’s where it began: Two guys standing in a backyard wanting to make a difference,” he said. “For seven years now they’ve been doing the Boston Butt Fundraiser, each year getting bigger and bigger, which obviously puts a little stress on them.”

The Bluffton Firefighters’ Cooking Team has raised more than $60,000 to help local families facing major financial strain from medical bills or terminal illness since the group formed in 2005. That money came through the fundraiser, the Firefighters Give Back Golf Tournament, a cancer fundraiser benefit, and the Barbecue and Brew benefit. The team also volunteers time and cooking and serving at local schools.

For those who don’t know, Boston butt is a cut of pork from the upper part of the shoulder from the front leg. Whole butts must be ordered in advance by Monday through derosia@blufftonfd.com or 843-548-4368.

A whole butt costs $35, while a quart of pulled pork runs $12 or two for $20. Also, the group will serve BBQ plates for $7 at the event.

The event features a bounce house, live music and a silent auction, which could include any number of things.

“Last year we had a girl that made homemade Christmas decorations, we had several golf outings, we have a photographer in our department who donates his own stuff, we’ve done Cornhole boards,” Hunter said. “Whatever we get through donations, we use.”

This year’s proceeds go to help the boy recently diagnosed with Leukemia and Bluffton Self Help, a nonprofit that offers short-term financial assistance, food and clothing to residents while supporting them to reach greater self-reliance.

The group decides recipients in an informal process through word of mouth, narrowing down the list according to the highest need.

“That’s probably the most difficult thing that they have to do,” he said.